Today in Tunes
On this day in music

January 15

10 moments from 1775 to 2018: 4 things that happened, 3 birthdays and 3 farewells.

Tune of the day
American Pie
Don McLean
Why today: 1972 · "American Pie" begins four weeks at No. 1
Play on SpotifyApple Music

What happened on January 15

  1. 194185 yrs ago
    HappenedClassical

    Messiaen premieres his quartet in a prison camp

    Olivier Messiaen and three fellow prisoners of war first played the Quartet for the End of Time at Stalag VIII-A to roughly 400 prisoners and guards. Donations from people in the camp paid for the cello.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Quatuor pour la fin du temps - Wikipedia
  2. 196759 yrs ago
    HappenedRock

    The Stones change their lyrics for Ed Sullivan

    Told to tone down "Let's Spend the Night Together," the band sang a milder line, and Mick Jagger rolled his eyes at the camera. Sullivan barred them, though they returned in 1969.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Let's Spend the Night Together - Wikipedia
  3. 197254 yrs ago
    HappenedFolk

    "American Pie" begins four weeks at No. 1

    Don McLean's sprawling story-song ran 8 minutes 42 seconds on the album, so the single was split across two sides. It still topped the Hot 100 for a month.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: American Pie (song) - Wikipedia
  4. 200026 yrs ago
    HappenedPop

    "What a Girl Wants" is the 2000s' first No. 1

    Christina Aguilera's second straight chart-topper after "Genie in a Bottle" is counted as the first Hot 100 No. 1 of the new decade. It held the spot for two weeks.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: What a Girl Wants (Christina Aguilera song) - Wikipedia
  5. 1909117 yrs ago
    BornJazz & Blues

    Drummer Gene Krupa is born in Chicago

    His tom-tom breaks on Benny Goodman's "Sing, Sing, Sing" were the first extended drum solos on a commercial record.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Gene Krupa - Wikipedia
  6. 194185 yrs ago
    BornRock

    Captain Beefheart is born in Glendale, California

    Don Van Vliet made famously adventurous music, above all the 28-track double album Trout Mask Replica, released on Frank Zappa's label.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Captain Beefheart - Wikipedia
  7. 198145 yrs ago
    BornLatin

    Pitbull is born in Miami

    Armando Christian Pérez became Mr. Worldwide, hitting No. 1 with "Give Me Everything" and "Timber" and co-singing the 2014 World Cup anthem.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Pitbull (rapper) - Wikipedia
  8. 1775251 yrs ago
    DiedClassical

    Symphony pioneer Giovanni Battista Sammartini dies

    The Milan composer helped turn the short opera overture into the serious concert symphony, pointing the way to Haydn and Mozart. Gluck was among his students.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Giovanni Battista Sammartini - Wikipedia
  9. 20188 yrs ago
    DiedRock

    Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan dies at 46

    As the band's voice and principal songwriter, working with guitarist Noel Hogan, she gave the Cranberries "Dreams," "Linger" and their biggest international hit, "Zombie."

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Dolores O'Riordan - Wikipedia
  10. 20188 yrs ago
    DiedR&B / Soul

    Gospel great Edwin Hawkins dies at 74

    His 1968 choir arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" jumped from a church choir album to rock radio, sold millions worldwide and won a Grammy.

    Play on Spotify Apple Music Source: Edwin Hawkins - Wikipedia